Interview: What has Mike Smith been up to?

By: Judy Arney
Mike Smith, as many know, had dedicated 44 years to the Wabasha County Herald as Editor. Born and raised in Wabasha, he saw it as his personal mission to serve the public not only with information but with stories that shed a light on the people and the town. When Smith was first hired, he had come after Tom Young, which felt like large and looming shoes to fill. Smith mentioned that being fresh out of college with a journalism degree, he knew he wasn't as seasoned as Tom Young, but he was determined to make his mark in his own way and do his best. Reflecting on the start of his career, Smith noted that it took him nearly five years to adjust to the demanding work hours and the pressure of tight deadlines. However, once he found his rhythm, it became smooth sailing. Smith explained that writing for the newspaper gave him a true sense of purpose in his career. Through his writing and photography, he was able to make fellow residents and friends feel good about themselves and where they all call home. “It was an honor,” he said proudly. For the next four decades, he continued to pave the way at the paper by attending any event he could and countless sporting events. He religiously informed his community of important news information, like your typical council meetings, the new bridge, or when President Jimmy Carter came to town in ’79. Smith was seen at every major event in Wabasha, taking photos, socializing, and gathering information that he would then compile into a story he would submit to the paper every week. When looking back, Smith says he’s not entirely sure how he managed to do it. (In a little over 44 years, Smith contributed to a total of 2,319 editions of the paper.) He reflected on the support he felt from the owners of the paper, who were "always in his corner". And the sense of achievement also kept him coming back week after week when somehow he would inevitably find a story to write and would get the job done, "there's always something happening in town," he laughed. He also credited a lot of his success to the support he had at home with his wife, Deb Smith, whom he has been married to for 42 years now. Deb often watched the kids as Mike attended sporting events or covered local happenings.
 His plan was to retire in his 45th year, but six months before his planned retirement, he suffered from a stroke and stepped down as the editor of the paper. Although he was firm in his choice to retire early, Smith said it wasn’t easy to let go. He had put in endless hours into his career, and he knew leaving the paper would be a massive change in his life. But it was clear to Smith that he needed to focus on his health. After the stroke, he was hardly able to move his arm up and down. He required physical and occupational therapy from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, for which he expressed his utmost gratitude. Although the stroke was challenging to recover from, Smith said he never once felt like giving up because he knew there was a lot more life he wanted to experience. With Deb by his side and the team at St. Elizabeth's, he was able to make an almost complete recovery. Smith begrudgingly mentioned that the one thing he has not been able to do is play golf, " not yet, anyway."
Now, Smith described his time being filled with the numerous activities he enjoys doing, which include parades with the Shriners, traveling with his wife, and being a Papa to his four (soon to be five) grandchildren. Smith and Deb have been able to travel from coast to coast, soaking up experiences and slowing down whenever they feel like it. “I’m not on a deadline anymore,” he smiled. Recently, Smith decided on a whim to drive to the Canadian border. He had always dreamed of making the drive, and one day he decided to go. That day, he stopped and enjoyed lunch at a restaurant on the side of the river, which overlooked the nearby Canadian landscape. That’s what has become important to him in his retirement, to “take time and enjoy things along the way”.
His grandchildren live close, and he sees them often. Smith’s grandchildren keep him busy when they visit each other. They are aged four, three, two, and one, with another grandchild expected in December. He said he enjoys experiencing their unique personalities and having them sit on Papa's lap. Smith shared that the moments spent with his grandchildren were among the most treasured blessings of his life. When it's time to go home, he said that seeing his grandchildren sadly wave goodbye from the window brings him both warmth and heartache. He has told people, when they ask about moving to warmer weather, that he would never consider leaving his grandkids. “Deb couldn’t stand being away from the grandkids for more than a month,” he laughed.
After what felt like writing endless stories every week for 44 years, Smith confirmed it was hard to get used to the change of pace when he retired, but he settled into it. He writes a column for the Shriners’ magazine, and he’s happy to do that. Still, he doesn’t have interest in writing a guest column for the paper, “I know myself, and I know if I start with one story, it would keep going from there.” Being a part of the Shriners has been another joyful experience in Smith’s retirement. He talked about the meaningful fellowship he has experienced and a sense of camaraderie in joining together for a worthy cause. They have raised over $200,000 for the Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. “I donate my time, and it goes to a good cause,” Smith said. Reflecting on the connections he has made throughout the organization, he has made friends with people from all over Minnesota. 
He is currently looking forward to spending more time with his grandkids and is planning his next trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with the Shriners. As he looks ahead, he intends to take every chance he can to experience life to the fullest, even if that means changing his plans or altering his course. “I might just stay an extra night if I’m enjoying myself,” he smiled. When it comes to friends asking him about retirement, he says, “Retire as soon as you can.”